Balance Adventure with Relaxation in St. Thomas

Icon Share

SHARE

Advisor - Elizabeth Gudrais
Curated By

Elizabeth Gudrais

  • Active Travel

  • Adventure Travel

  • Babymoons

  • Couples Travel

  • St. Thomas

  • Relaxation

  • Entertainment

  • Coastal

A person in a wide-brimmed sun hat and bright pink top stands on a sunlit stone staircase surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
Curator’s statement

A day excursion from a cruise ship doesn’t begin to touch St. Thomas’s charm. You’ll see a different side of the island when you make a dedicated trip to this destination. The convenience factor is key: the island is on the U.S. dollar and offers passport-free travel – as well as relatively short flights — for U.S. residents, making it a suitable destination for a long-weekend trip. But there’s enough to do that you could easily spend a whole week or more, especially if you’re in the mood to relax and slow down to the speed of island time. Fill your days with snorkeling, sailing and hiking — with a side of culture and history — then unwind with a spa treatment, a walk along the harbor, the freshest seafood and live music with the caress of an ocean breeze.

The Fora Difference

Book with Elizabeth to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.

Icon Travel Perks
Killer perks

Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you

Icon Recommendations
Personalized recs

Customized travel planning for your style

Icon Inside Knowledge
Insider knowledge

Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there

Where to stay in St. Thomas

Unlock perks by contacting Elizabeth to book your trip.

Things to do in St. Thomas

A person in a purple sun hat and mirrored sunglasses enjoys a peaceful sail with serene ocean views.

The water is the main attraction on St. Thomas. Plan to spend some time exploring it in your preferred format, whether that’s a snorkeling or sailing excursion or admiring it from the comfort of a white sand beach. If you have time, venture beyond the closest beach at your resort to explore other spots on the island. Magens Bay, Secret Harbor, Sapphire Beach, Coki Point and Brewers Bay are among the local favorites. Take the Mermaid’s Chair hike at low tide to walk the small strip of land dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea; take a day trip to nearby Cas Cay to hike amid tidal pools, volcanic cliffs, a geologic blowhole and plentiful beach views.

For history buffs, a walk around Charlotte Amalie will reveal plenty of the island’s colonial-era history if you simply take it slow and observe the details around you. Fort Christian has a small museum inside its distinctive red building. The St. Thomas Historical Trust operates a museum — open by appointment only — and also offers walking tours. The Pirates Treasure Museum Head up the hill to take a tour of the second-oldest synagogue in the United States. Guests of all ages can appreciate the immersive, interactive exhibits at the Pirates Treasure Museum, as well as the collections of objects retrieved from deep-sea shipwrecks. Learn more about the island’s history at the French Heritage Museum, a charming little museum located in Frenchtown in a building that previously served as a fire station and a medical clinic.

When you’re ready for refreshments, head to Charlotte Amalie, Frenchtown or Havensight near the cruise terminal. Note: Some businesses may be closed when a cruise ship is not in port. Outside of these centers, restaurants tend to be concentrated at or near the resorts, and you’ll need to travel by car to reach these areas. Renting a car may be a good idea. Be warned that taxis do not accept credit cards, and they are expensive! If you need a ride from your resort to a different one for an excursion, that can easily run you $50 or more each way. If you’re there for a longer stay or are on a budget, consider looking into the “dollar safari” buses, independently owned buses that do not follow official routes or schedules. They run frequently and are widely used by locals and seasonal workers; traveling across the island will require transferring buses, but it will only cost you $1 for each leg of your trip.

Day trips:

St. John

U.S. Virgin Islands National Park takes up two-thirds of the neighboring island of St. John, making this a lovely destination for a day hike. Because most of the island is protected parkland, the restaurants and stores are more concentrated in a small area than they are on St. Thomas, giving St. John a walkable area you can easily explore for shopping for jewelry and souvenirs, food, drinks and live music. Get a bushwhacker — the deceptively strong drink that tastes like a chocolate milkshake — at one of the beach bars or kick back with local brews on the patio at St. John Brewers. Ferries from St. Thomas to St. John leave from Crown Bay Marina and Red Hook as well as central Charlotte Amalie multiple times daily.

British Virgin Islands

For visiting the British Virgin Islands, you’ll want to work with a tour provider to help you get the most out of your day trip. They’ll handle all entry requirements — just be sure to bring your passport since you’re technically entering the UK! Your trip might include a snorkeling stop or two, plus a wet-and-dry hike among the famous rock formations at The Baths and a stop at the iconic Soggy Dollar bar.

St. Croix

To get to St. Croix from St. Thomas, you can take a ferry, a regular airplane or a seaplane. Explore the island’s Danish colonial history in the town of Christiansted, take a tour with a local guide to learn about the melding of Spanish, French, Taino and African cultures on the island. Explore the St. George Village Botanical Gardens or the Carambola tide pools, or take a snorkeling, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding excursion to observe the marine environment.

Places to eat & drink in St. Thomas

A woman in sunglasses and a casual beach outfit enjoys a drink at an open-air bar with a stunning turquoise ocean view in the background.

Frenchtown has a concentration of eating and drinking establishments ranging from fast casual to upscale. Visit Taco Chelles for transcendent tacos. Menu options vary, but examples include a gyro taco, a taco with roast beef and horseradish and the spicy hot fried chicken taco — complete with a pickle on top. Nearby is the always-packed French Quarter Bistro, serving up New Orleans-style cuisine with a Caribbean flair. Frenchtown Deli is good for sandwiches and snacks before heading out for a snorkeling or beach excursion — or after a trip to Frenchtown Brewing Co. to taste some local brews. Just down the street, Oceana offers stunning views from its waterside location on an estate owned by the island’s first Danish governor in the 17th century — and its seafood-centric menu earns rave reviews.

In central Charlotte Amalie, Taphus has local beers — and sometimes food; strike up a conversation with the bartender to learn about the building’s fascinating history. In the same area, the Greenhouse has more remarkable food than its humble appearance might indicate, and its extensive menu means there’s something for everyone.

Inside a small strip mall near the cruise ship terminal, Pizza Amore serves up a slice of nostalgia alongside New York-style pizza and décor to match; this local staple has been open since 1988. Just up the road, Cravin’ Crabs delivers more upscale cuisine than the name and sign might lead you to believe. Try the Filipino dishes on the menu for a taste of the owners’ heritage.

Red Hook is far away from nearly everything unless you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton, but Hook’d USVI is worth the trip. Let the afternoon fade into evening as you linger under the cheerful red umbrellas, enjoying harbor views and savoring well-made cocktails, Caribbean fare and pub favorites — the fish and chips in particular earns accolades.

Advisor - Elizabeth Gudrais

Travel Advisor

Elizabeth Gudrais

Get in touch with Elizabeth

Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

You can normally expect a response from Elizabeth within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).

This guide is a part of our ongoing series on travel to St. Thomas. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Immersive Venice Experience.